Wish I had never,never done rads, DEEP REGRETS
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I haven't posted in awhile. I had accelerated 5 day radiation in May 2017. I still regret it to this day. The skin on my breast fell off and was raw for about 8 weeks. The original Radiation Oncologist said "we never see that' -- now I know that had to be a lie. It's very common. I had to change bandages 2x a day and use Silvadene cream to help the skin grow back. It was excruciatingly painful and I could wear a bra. My breast is still very swollen and hot. I have severe fibrosis in the tissue that is hard as a rock (think cooking chicken too long in a microwave). I have lymphedema although I only had one lymph node removed. My breast is very painful. I should have researched more before I agreed to it. I found that some women are not candidates for accelerated radiation. Age, breast size, obesity, diabetic are some of the things that would determine whether you should have the accelerated radiation. I don't know if the 3 week radiation would have made a difference but I should have taken time to find out. I just wanted it over with. In October 2017 I had severe pain in my ribs. I told the Radiation Oncologist and she said it was "referred pain from my breast" -- I argued with her and said that my breast was a "sore" pain and the pain in my ribs was a "stabbing" severe pain and I couldn't take a deep breath. That lasted 8 weeks and they did nothing. 2 years later in a report from a CT scan for my kidney, it stated "several broken ribs" -- I called my primary doctor and said that the report wasn't mine that I had never broken any ribs. He talked to the radiologist and said yes, it was my report. Then it hit me... my ribs spontaneously fractured due to radiation. I then went and did some research and sure enough.. tens of thousands of women have that happen. The ribs get brittle. One woman broke a rib and months later bent over to tie her shoe and she hear another one break. The RO knew that (or she should have) but I feel she lied to me. I told my surgeon that I will never have radiation again and that I wished a million times over the last 3 years that I had insisted on a mastectomy. I don't see how it would have been more painful that what I've been through. Please take a breath and do some research before you agree to radiation. At least you'll know what to expect. God Bless.
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I also have severe adverse effects from rads and still do. I'm 8 years out from my surgeries an treatment..I thought I was alone in this. I still have severe skin issues with sores an seepage and pain.For a few yrs my nipple turned black and peeled off this was a cycle. I was scheduled for 35 treatments but only finished 15 treatments which were stopped half way through for a week as I fell ill with fever and vomiting.Anyways thank you for having a place to vent and being able to talk about this issue ive never talked about this issue as I thought I was the only one with these things. I truly hope things ease up an get better for everyone Take care
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